Component and low profile flexible latch assembly

ABSTRACT

Latch assembly including a latch arm, having first and second length edges and first and second width edges. The latch arm includes a latch pawl, a pivot connector, and a stabilizing member, positioned in a plane. The latch pawl connected to the first width edge and providing spring force resisting deflection non-parallel to the plane. The pivot connector and stabilizing member formed within an area of the latch arm. The stabilizing member extending distally relative to the second width edge to the pivot connector, and providing spring force resisting deflection parallel to the plane. The component and latch assembly including a component having first and second faces being adjacent and perpendicular. The latch arm rotatably mounted on the second face between latched and unlatched positions. Assembly including an embossment positioned to deflect the latch pawl during latching so the latch arm sits raised upon the embossment in the latched position.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to the field of component latches. Morespecifically, the present disclosure relates to electronic componentlatches, the component having electrical signal connectors.

In general, component latches may serve a number of purposes at leastincluding locating a component properly within a bay, holding acomponent within a component bay, and docking electrical signalconnectors of the component to the component bay. As the complexity ofcomponents increases, and the cost of replacement component increases,the need to properly latch those components similarly increases.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to a latch assembly andcomponent and latch assembly. The latch assembly may include a latcharm, having a first length edge and a second length edge and a firstwidth edge and a second width edge. The latch arm may include a latchpawl, a pivot connector, and a stabilizing member, being positioned in aplane. The latch pawl being may be connected to the first width edge ofthe latch arm. The latch pawl may provide spring force resistingdeflection non-parallel to the plane. The pivot connector may be formedwithin an area of the latch arm. The stabilizing member may be formedwithin the area of the latch arm and extend distally relative to thesecond width edge to connect to the pivot connector. The stabilizingmember may provide spring force resisting deflection parallel to theplane.

The component and latch assembly may include a component, having a firstface and a second face, the first and second faces being adjacent,perpendicular, and having a shared edge. The component may be insertedinto a component bay having a latch pawl pin. The assembly may alsoinclude one or more connectors positioned on the first face. Theassembly may include a latch arm, having a first length edge and asecond length edge and a first width edge and a second width edge. Thelatch arm may be mounted on the second face of the component. The latcharm may be rotatable between a latched position and an unlatchedposition. The length edges may be parallel to the shared edge in thelatched position and non-parallel to the shared edge in the unlatchedposition.

The latch arm may also include a latch pawl, a pivot connector, and astabilizing member, being positioned in a plane. The latch pawl may beconnected to the first width edge of the latch arm. The pivot connectormay be formed within an area of the latch arm. The stabilizing membermay be formed within the area of the latch arm and may extend distallyfrom the second width edge to connect to the pivot connector. The latchpawl may provide spring force resisting deflection non-parallel to theplane. The stabilizing member may provide spring force resistingdeflection parallel to the plane. The stabilizing member may also be atoothed stabilizing member, having one or more teeth, forming one ormore pockets within the area of the latch arm. The pivot connector maybe a toothed pivot connector, having an inner and outer circumference,and having one or more teeth forming one or more pockets within the areaof the latch arm, and positioned on the outer circumference of thetoothed pivot connector.

The component and latch assembly may also include an embossmentpositioned on the component to deflect the latch pawl during latching ofthe latch arm such that the latch arm sits raised upon the embossment inthe latched position. The latch assembly and the component and latchassembly may also be constructed where the latch arm, stabilizingmember, pivot connector, and latch pawl are constructed from a singlepiece of material. The latch arm, stabilizing member, pivot connector,and latch pawl may also be made from spring steel.

The latch assembly and the component latch assembly may be constructedsuch that the stabilizing member and pivot connector of the assemblydefine an opening which traces the stabilizing member and pivotconnector and is located within the area of the latch arm. Dampingmaterial may at least partially fill the opening. The damping materialmay have a durometer generally in the range of 15 to 70.

The damping material may be one or more selected from the groupconsisting of room temperature vulcanizing epoxy, room temperaturevulcanizing silicone, room temperature vulcanizing rubber, and grease.The component and latch assembly may further include a handle, connectedto the latch arm and positioned on the second width edge. The assemblymay also include a mounting bracket, connected to the second face, andpositioned so that the latch arm is sandwiched between the mountingbracket and the second face.

The component and latch assembly may also include a handle pawl pinconnected to the mounting bracket, and a handle pawl connected to thehandle. The handle may be rotatable between a secured position and anunsecured position where the handle pawl and the handle pawl pin securethe latch arm from rotation in the secured position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of an embodiment of a component and latch assemblyshowing the face of the component having latch elements and a latch armpositioned in the latched position.

FIG. 2 is a view of an embodiment of a component and latch assemblyshowing the face of the component having latch elements and a latch armpositioned in the unlatched position.

FIG. 3 is a view of an embodiment of a component and latch assemblyshowing the top view of latch elements and the embossment deflecting thelatch pawl up to lie raised upon the embossment in the latched position.

FIG. 4 is a view of an embodiment of the latch assembly.

FIG. 5 is a view of an embodiment of the latch assembly having a toothedstabilizing member and a toothed pivot connector.

FIG. 6 is a view of an embodiment of a component and latch assemblyshowing the face of the component having latch elements, where the latcharm has a toothed stabilizing member and a toothed pivot connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings which show by way of illustration various examples by which thedisclosure may be used. Other examples of the disclosure may be used, asstructural and operational changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of the present disclosure.

While the same nomenclature and same numbers may be used to identifyelements throughout the disclosure, this practice is not intended tolimit the scope of the disclosure. Identified elements in one figure maynot be identical to other same named or identified elements in otherfigures.

The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to latchingcomponents within component bays or other chassis. Specifically, thedisclosure relates to latching components having one or more connectors,docking the one or more connectors within a component bay, and allowingfor secure yet flexible docking between the component bay and the one ormore connectors.

In some embodiments, the one or more connectors may transmit and receiveelectrical signals from the component bay. The flexible docking ofelectrical connectors may reduce the stress of external forces on theone or more connectors, which may in turn reduce the likelihood of theelectrical connectors becoming under-docked, over-docked, or repeatedlydocking and undocking. Reducing the likelihood of these events may slowdeterioration of the component and of the one or more connectors.

Other embodiments may be used for the same useful purpose to latch acomponent and flexibly dock non-electrical connectors within componentbays while reducing stresses of vibrations, shocks, or other forces uponthe one or more connectors. Other embodiments may also be used for thesame useful purpose to latch a component flexibly, within component baysor other chassis, which do not have connectors.

The component and latch assembly may include a component, having a firstface and a second face. The first and second faces may be adjacent,perpendicular and may have a shared edge. The assembly may include oneor more connectors positioned on the first face. The assembly may alsoinclude a latch arm having a latch pawl, an unlatch pawl, a stabilizingmember, and a pivot connector. The assembly may further include anembossment.

The one or more connectors may be positioned on the first face. Thelatch arm may have a first length edge and a second length edge, a firstwidth edge and a second width edge. The latch arm may be mounted on thesecond face, and may be rotatable between a latched position andunlatched position, the length edges being parallel to the shared edgein the latched position and non-parallel to the shared edge in theunlatched position.

The latch pawl may be located at the first width edge of the latch arm.The pivot connector may be formed within an area of the latch arm. Thestabilizing member may be formed within the area of the latch arm andmay extend distally from the second width edge and to the pivotconnector. The stabilizing member and pivot connector may also define anopening which traces the stabilizing member and pivot connector, and islocated within the area of the latch arm. The stabilizing member andpivot connector may also be toothed, having one or more teeth. Theembossment may be positioned on the component to deflect the latch pawlduring latching of the latch arm such that the latch arm sits raisedupon the embossment in the latched position.

The component and latch assembly may further include a handle, anunlatch pawl, a mounting bracket, a handle pawl, a handle pawl pin,damping material, and a component bay having a latch pawl pin. Thehandle may be connected to the latch arm and positioned on the secondwidth edge, and may be rotatable between a secured and unsecuredposition. The unlatch pawl may be connected to the latch arm andpositioned on the first width edge. The mounting bracket may beconnected to the second face and positioned so that the latch arm issandwiched between the mounting bracket and the second face. The handlepawl may be connected to the handle where the handle and handle pawl pinsecure the latch arm from rotation in the secured position.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a front view of an embodiment, relativeto a latch arm 108, can be seen including a component 102, one or moreconnectors 104, an embossment 106, the latch arm 108 pivotally mountedupon the component 102, a handle 110, a handle pawl 112, a mountingbracket 114, a handle pawl pin 116, and a latch pawl pin 118. In FIG. 1,an embodiment can be seen where the latch arm 108 is in the latchedposition. In FIG. 2, an embodiment can be seen where the latch arm 108is in the unlatched position.

The component 102 may be insertable into a component bay, and may haveat least two faces, a first face 120 and a second face 122, which may beadjacent, perpendicular and have a shared edge. The type of component102 used may include a power supply, a fan, a node, or other type ofcomponent 102 which is insertable into a component bay.

The component 102 may include one or more connectors 104, positionedexternally upon the component 102 such that the one or more connectors104 may be connected to a component bay, not shown. In at least FIGS. 1and 2, an embodiment can be seen where the one or more connectors 104are positioned on the first face 120 the component 102. However in otherembodiments the one or more connectors 104 may be positioned on thesecond face 122, or on other faces or areas of the component 102.

The one or more connectors 104 may include electrical signal connectors,optical signal connectors, or other types of connectors which transmitinputs, outputs, or other signals. In some embodiments however, the oneor more connectors 104 may include non-electronic connectors which donot transmit signals but may connect the component 102 to the componentbay when the component 102 is inserted.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the embossment 106 may be a raisedportion, relative to a face of the component 102, which may deflect thelatch pawl 202 into the latch pawl pin 118. In FIG. 3 an edge view of anembodiment can be seen. In at least one embodiment, the embossment 106may be a part of the second face 122 of the component 102 which ispunched out and upwards to form a raised area having an edge which is atleast partially sloped. In other embodiments the embossment 106 may be apart of the second face 122 of the component 102 which is molded upwardsto form a raised area. In other embodiments, the embossment 106 may be apiece of material separate from the component 102 which is connected tothe second face 122 component 102.

The embossment 106 may be positioned on the same of the component 102 onwhich the latch arm 108 is mounted. In at least FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, anembodiment is shown where the embossment 106 and latch arm 108 aremounted on the second face 122. However, the embossment may bepositioned on other faces of the component. The embossment 106 may bepositioned so that it deflects the latch pawl 202 over the edge of theembossment 106 and up to lie raised upon the embossment 106 when thelatch arm 108 is in the latched position.

The edge of the embossment 106 may have one or more edges which slope tothe surface of the face on which the embossment 106 is mounted. In atleast FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 an embodiment is shown where the embossment 106is mounted on the second face 122 and which is sloped on all edges ofthe embossment 106.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the height of the embossment 106 may determinethe extent of the deflection of the latch pawl 202 in a direction normalto second face 122, and may influence the spring force applied by thedeflected latch arm 108. Further, the height of the embossment 106 mayprovide sufficient deflection of the latch pawl 202 to engage a latchpawl pin 118, typically an aspect of a component bay 119 or chassis asseen in FIG. 3. In an embodiment, the embossment 106 may be raised twomillimeters relative to the second face 122.

Deflecting the latch pawl 202 up the embossment 106 to engage a latchpawl pin 118 may allow the latch arm 108 to be placed close to thesurface of the component 102 while mounted while also engaging the latchpawl pin 118. The latch pawl pin 118 may extend towards the component102 from the component bay 119. This may allow the latch pawl 202 todecrease the distance between the one or more connectors 104 and thelocation of the force applied by the latch pawl 202 and latch pawl pin118. Reducing the distance between the one or more connectors 104 andthe location of the force applied may more evenly distribute the forceapplied among the one or more connectors 104, and may reduce thelikelihood of partial undocking of the component 102.

Referring back again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the latch arm 108 may be mountedexternally at an axis of pivot 115 on the component 102 and may pivotbetween the latched position, as shown in FIG. 1, and the unlatchedposition as shown in FIG. 2. The latch arm 108 may be constructed tohave a planar shape, and may have a first width edge 214 and a secondwidth edge 216, and a first length edge 218 and a second length edge220. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the latch arm may include the latchpawl 202, an unlatch pawl 204, a stabilizing member 206, and a pivotconnector 208. These elements and the latch arm 108 may be positioned ina plane.

The latch arm 108 may be positioned on the second face 122 of thecomponent 102. However, the latch arm 108 may also be positioned on thefirst face 120 or another face of the component 102. The latch arm 108may provide a spring force resisting deflection of the latch arm 108. Inat least FIG. 4 an embodiment may be seen where the latch arm 108 hasspring force in at least two directions. In FIG. 4, the latch pawl 202may provide spring force when deflected normal to the plane of the latcharm 108, and the stabilizing member 206 may provide spring force whendeflected parallel to the plane of the latch arm.

The material from which the latch arm 108 is constructed from may be asource of the spring force. In at least one embodiment, the latch arm108 may be constructed from pre-tempered spring steel. Spring steel maybe adapted to produce a desired deflection spring force which dependsupon the shape, thickness and size of the latch arm 108. In anembodiment, the spring force may be adapted by scaling the thickness ofthe latch arm 108 up or down to achieve a desired spring force. In atleast one other embodiment, a spring force of 15 pounds for a travel of2 millimeters was achieved. Other materials may be used for the sameuseful purpose however, including plastic, metal, or other materialswhich may provide spring force when deflected.

The latch arm 108 may be constructed as a single piece of material. Inone embodiment, the latch arm 108 may be stamped out from a single pieceof spring steel. However the latch arm 108 may also be constructed frommultiple pieces of material and fastened together with rivets screws,roll pins, or other fasteners.

The handle 110 may be constructed to provide a section by which a usermay pivot the latch arm 108 between the latched position, as shown inFIG. 1, to the unlatched position, as shown in FIG. 2. The handle 110may be connected to the latch arm 108 at the first width edge 214 or thesecond width edge 216 of the latch arm 108. In at least FIGS. 1 and 2,an embodiment can be seen where the handle 110 is connected to thesecond width edge 216. The handle 110 may also be connected at otherlocations on the latch arm 108 which may allow the latch arm 108 topivot while mounted upon the component 102.

The handle 110 may be constructed as a continuous extension of the latcharm 108 or as a separate piece which is fastened to the latch arm 108.The handle 110 may also be pivotally fastened to the latch arm 108, andmay include a handle pawl 112 which may secure the latch arm 108 in thelatched position via the handle pawl pin 116. Securing the latch arm 108may reduce the likelihood that the latch arm 108 will involuntarilydisengage from the latched position.

In at least FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of the handle 110 may be seenwhich includes a handle pawl 112 where the handle pawl 112 may engagewith a mounting bracket 114 to secure the securing latch 108 in thelatched position.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6 The mounting bracket 114 may allowthe latch arm 108 to be pivotably mounted on the component 102. Themounting bracket 114 may be fastened to the component 102. The mountingbracket 114 may provide a surface to pivotally mount the latch arm 108.

The mounting bracket 114 may be connected to the same face as the latcharm 108. In at least FIGS. 1 and 2, the mounting bracket is connected tothe second face 122. The mounting bracket 114 may also be positionedadjacent and parallel to the latch arm 108 so that the latch arm 108 issandwiched between the mounting bracket 114 and the component 102. Themounting bracket 114 may be further connected to the latch arm 108. Themounting bracket 114 may also have a raised portion and a loweredportion, relative to the second face 122 of the component 102. Theraised portion and the lowered portion may allow the mounting bracket114 to simultaneously be connected to the component 102, via the loweredportion, and to the latch arm 108, via the raised portion. The loweredportion and the raised portion may provide clearance for the latch arm108 from the surface of the component 102.

The mounting bracket 114 may be made from various materials includingmetal, plastic, or other materials which may allow the mounting bracket114 to be fastened to the component 102. The mounting bracket 114 mayhave a handle pawl pin 116 which may provide a pin for the handle pawl112 to secure the latch arm 108 when the latched arm is in the latchedposition as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, various alternative embodimentscan be seen including a handle 110, a handle pawl 112, and a latch arm108 including a latch pawl 202, an unlatch pawl 204, a stabilizingmember 206, a pivot connector 208, and damping material 212.

The latch pawl 202 may secure the latch arm 108 and the component 102within a component bay. The latch pawl 202 may be positioned at thefirst width edge 214 of the latch arm 108. The latch pawl 202 may bepositioned such that the latch arm 108 is pivotable when the component102 is inserted into a component bay. The latch pawl 202 may further bepositioned so that the latch pawl 202 is deflected over and sits raisedupon the embossment 106 when the latch arm 108 is in the latchedposition.

Referring now to FIG. 3, deflecting the latch pawl 202 up the embossment106 to engage a latch pawl pin 118 may allow the latch arm 108 to beplaced close to the surface of the component 102 while mounted, whilealso engaging the latch pin 114, which may extend towards the component102 from the component bay 119. The latch pawl 202 is deflected andbends at an area of deflection 203 so that the latch pawl sits raisedupon the embossment 106 and engages the latch pawl pin 118. Engaging thelatch pawl pin 118 may decrease the distance between the one or moreconnectors 104 and the location of the force applied by the latch pawl202 and latch pawl pin 118. Reducing the distance between the one ormore connectors 104 and the location of the force applied may moreevenly distribute the force applied among the one or more connectors104, and may reduce the likelihood of partial undocking of the component102.

The latch pawl 202 may be constructed to provide a spring force when thelatch pawl 202 is deflected non-parallel to the plane of the latch arm108. The material from which the latch pawl 202 is constructed from mayprovide a source of such spring force. In at least one embodiment, thelatch pawl 202 was constructed from pre-tempered spring steel.

The spring force of the latch pawl 202 may allow for the component 102to have compliance and flexibility against external shocks, vibrations,or other forces when inserted and latched within a component bay.Compliance and flexibility in the component bay may reduce the stress onthe one or more connectors 104 while connected in the component bay.

Spring steel may be adapted to produce a desired spring force fromdeflection depending upon the shape, thickness and size of the latchpawl 202. In an embodiment, the spring force may be adapted by scalingthe thickness of the latch pawl 202 up or down to achieve a desiredspring force. In at least one other embodiment, a spring force of 15pounds for a travel of 2 millimeters was achieved. Other materials maybe used for the same useful purpose however, including plastic, metal,or other materials which may provide spring force when deflected.

The latch pawl 202 may be constructed as an extension of the latch arm108 so that a single piece of material makes up the latch pawl 202 andthe latch arm 108. This may lower the cost and complexity of manufactureand may allow for a lower profile of the latch arm 108 and latch pawl202. However the latch pawl 202 may also be constructed as a separatepiece which is fastened to the latch arm 108 by one or more rivets,screws, roll pins, or other fasteners.

The unlatch pawl 204 may act as a lever when the latch arm 108 ispivoted into the unlatch position to assist in disconnecting connectors104 connected to the component bay. The lever action of the unlatch pawl204 may be provided as the latch arm 108 is pivoted into the unlatchposition and the unlatch pawl 204 is pushed against the latch pawl pin118.

The unlatch pawl 204 may be positioned at the first width edge 214 ofthe latch arm 108. The unlatch pawl 204 may also be positioned so thatthe latch arm 108 is pivotable when the component 102 is inserted into acomponent bay. The unlatch pawl 204 may also be positioned such that itcontacts the latch pawl pin 118 when the latch arm 108 is in the unlatchposition.

The unlatch pawl 204 may be constructed as an extension of the latch arm108 so that a single piece of material makes up the unlatch pawl 204 andthe latch arm 108. This may lower the cost and complexity of manufactureand may allow for a lower profile of the latch arm 108 and unlatch pawl204. However the unlatch pawl 204 may also be constructed as a separatepiece which is fastened to the latch arm 108 by one or more rivets,screws, roll pins, or other fasteners.

Referring to FIG. 4, the stabilizing member 206 may be constructed toprovide a spring force when the stabilizing member 206 is deflectednon-parallel to the plane of the latch arm 108. The stabilizing member206 may be located within an area 209 of the latch arm 108 and mayextend distally from the second width edge 216 of the latch arm 108 toconnect to the pivot connector 208. The stabilizing member 206 maydefine an opening 210 which traces the stabilizing member 206 and islocated within the area 209 of the latch arm 108.

The spring force of the stabilizing member 206 may allow for thecomponent 102 to have compliance and flexibility against externalshocks, vibrations, or other forces when inserted and latched within acomponent bay. Compliance and flexibility in the component bay mayreduce the stress on the one or more connectors 104 while connected inthe component bay.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, in various alternative embodiments,the stabilizing member 206 may also be a toothed stabilizing member 302having one or more teeth 303, 304 located on an outer edge of thetoothed stabilizing member 302. The one or more teeth 303, 304 may formone or more pockets 305, 306 within the area 209 of the latch arm. Thetoothed stabilizing member 302 and the one or more pockets 305, 306 mayincrease the total area of the opening 210 which traces the toothedstabilizing member 302, and may allow for greater amounts of dampingmaterial 212, described further below, to be placed within the opening210 and the one ore more pockets 305, 306. In FIGS. 5 and 6 at least oneembodiment can be seen having a toothed stabilizing member 302 havingtwo teeth 303, 304.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the material from which the stabilizingmember 206 is constructed from may provide a source of such springforce. In at least one embodiment, the stabilizing member 206 wasconstructed from pre-tempered spring steel. The material from which thestabilizing member 206 is constructed may provide a source of the springforce. In at least one example, the stabilizing member 206 wasconstructed from pre-tempered spring steel.

Spring steel may be tailored to produce the desired spring force fromdeflection depending upon the shape, thickness and size of thestabilizing member 206 in order to achieve a desired spring force. In atleast one example, a spring force of 15 pounds for a travel of 2millimeters was achieved. The stabilizing member 206 may also be taperedfrom the second width edge 216 to the pivot connector 208 which mayprovide more efficient distribution of stress on the stabilizing member206 and more efficient material utilization of the latch arm 108. In atleast one example the stabilizing member 206 was tapered from a width ofapproximately 4 millimeters at the second width edge 216 to a width ofapproximately 2 millimeters at the pivot connector 208.

The stabilizing member 206 may be constructed as an extension of thelatch arm 108 so that a single piece of material makes up thestabilizing member 206 and the latch arm 108. This may lower the costand complexity of manufacture and may allow for a lower profile shape ofthe latch arm 108 and stabilizing member 206. However, the stabilizingmember 206 may also be constructed as a separate piece which is fastenedto the latch arm 108 by one or more rivets, screws, roll pins, or otherfasteners.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the pivot connector 208 may allow the latch arm108 an axis of rotation and may be the point at which the latch arm 108is pivotally mounted on the component 102. The pivot connector 208 maybe located within the area 209 of the latch arm 108 and connected to thestabilizing member 206. The pivot connector 208 may define an opening210 which traces the pivot connector 208 and is located within the area209 of the latch arm 108.

The pivot connector 208 may be shaped to allow for pivoting movementaround an axis located at the center of the pivot connector 208. Thepivot connector 208 may be shaped as a ring having an innercircumference and an outer circumference. However, the pivot connector208 may also be shaped as a partial ring having an opening 210, or othershape which may allow for the latch pivot connector 208 to be mounted tothe component 102, and to remain mounted while pivoting.

The pivot connector 208 may be connected to the stabilizing member 206so that that a single piece of material makes up the stabilizing member206 and the pivot connector 208. This may lower the cost and complexityof manufacture and may allow for a lower profile shape of the pivotconnector 208 and stabilizing member 206. However, the pivot connector208 may also be constructed as a separate piece which is fastened to thestabilizing member 206 by one or more rivets, screws, roll pins, orother fasteners.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, in various alternative embodiments,the pivot connector 208 may also be a toothed pivot connector 308 havingone or more teeth 309 located on an outer edge of the toothed pivotconnector 308. The one or more teeth may form one or more pockets 310within the area 209 of the latch arm. The toothed pivot connector 308and the one or more pockets 310 may increase the total area of theopening 210 which traces the toothed pivot connector 308, and may allowfor greater amounts of damping material 212, described further below, tobe placed within the opening 210 and the one or more pockets 310. InFIGS. 5 and 6 at least one embodiment can be seen having a toothed pivotconnector 308 having one tooth 309.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, damping material 212 may be insertedwithin the opening 210 which traces the stabilizing member 206 and pivotconnector 208. Inserted damping material 212 may at least partially fillthe opening 210. The inserted damping material 212 may also entirelyfill the opening 210. In at least FIGS. 4 and 5, an embodiment is shownwhere the damping material 212 fills the entire opening.

The size of the opening 210 may allow for more or less damping material212 to be placed within the opening 210. The damping material 212inserted within the opening 210 may reduce the resonant frequencyamplification of motion of the stabilizing member 206. The reduction inthe resonant frequency of the stabilizing member 206 may depend upon theamount of damping material 212 and the type of damping material 212used.

Inserted damping material 212 may be injected into the opening 210 andcured, placed within the opening 210, or inserted into the opening 210by other methods. The damping material 212 may be selected from varioustypes of material. The damping material 212 may be one or more selectedfrom the group consisting of room temperature vulcanizing epoxy, roomtemperature vulcanizing silicone, room temperature vulcanizing rubber,and grease. The damping material 212 may also be a material having adurometer generally within the range of 15 to 70. The damping material212 may also be other material which may reduce the resonance frequencyof the stabilizing arm 206 when inserted into the opening 210.

The foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention hasbeen presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in lightof the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention belimited not with this detailed description, but rather determined inview of what would be apparent to those skilled in the art from thedescription provided herein and the claims appended hereto.

We claim:
 1. A latch assembly comprising: a latch arm, having a firstlength edge, a second length edge, a first width edge, and a secondwidth edge; the latch arm including a latch pawl, a pivot connector, anda stabilizing member, and being positioned in a plane; the latch pawlbeing connected to the first width edge of the latch arm and providingspring force resisting deflection non-parallel to the plane; the pivotconnector being formed within an area of the latch arm; the stabilizingmember being formed within the area of the latch arm and extendingdistally relative to the second width edge to connect to the pivotconnector, the stabilizing member providing spring force resistingdeflection parallel to the plane.
 2. The latch assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the latch arm, stabilizing member, pivot connector, andlatch pawl are constructed from a single piece of material.
 3. The latchassembly according to claim 1, wherein the latch arm, stabilizingmember, pivot connector, and latch pawl are constructed from springsteel.
 4. The latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein thestabilizing member and the pivot connector define an opening whichtraces the stabilizing member and the pivot connector, and is locatedwithin the area of the latch arm.
 5. The latch assembly according toclaim 4, further comprising damping material, at least partially fillingthe opening.
 6. The latch assembly according to claim 5, wherein thedamping material has a durometer generally in the range of 15 to
 70. 7.The latch assembly according to claim 5, wherein the damping material isone or more selected from the group consisting of room temperaturevulcanizing epoxy, room temperature vulcanizing silicone, roomtemperature vulcanizing rubber, and grease.
 8. The latch assemblyaccording to claim 1, further comprising a handle connected to the latcharm and positioned on the second width edge.
 9. The latch assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the pivot connector is a toothed pivotconnector, having an inner and outer circumference, and having one ormore teeth which form one or more pockets within the area of the latcharm, the one or more teeth positioned on the outer circumference of thetoothed pivot connector.
 10. The latch assembly according to claim 9,wherein the stabilizing member is a toothed stabilizing member havingone or more teeth which form one or more pockets within the area of thelatch arm.
 11. A component and latch assembly comprising: a component,having a first face and a second face, the first face and second facebeing adjacent, perpendicular, and having a shared edge; one or moreconnectors, positioned on the first face; a latch arm having a firstlength edge, a second length edge, a first width edge, and a secondwidth edge, mounted on the second face; the latch arm, rotatable betweena latched position and an unlatched position, the first length edge andsecond length edge parallel to the shared edge in the latched positionand non-parallel to the shared edge in the unlatched position; the latcharm including, a latch pawl, a pivot connector, and a stabilizingmember, and being positioned in a plane; the latch pawl being connectedto the first width edge of the latch arm and providing spring forceresisting deflection non-parallel to the plane; the pivot connectorbeing formed within an area of the latch arm; the stabilizing memberbeing formed within the area of the latch arm, extending distallyrelative to the second width edge to connect to the pivot connector, thestabilizing member providing spring force resisting deflection parallelto the plane; a handle being connected to the latch arm and positionedon the second width edge; and an embossment positioned on the componentto deflect the latch pawl during latching of the latch arm such that thelatch arm sits raised upon the embossment in the latched position. 12.The component and latch assembly according to claim 11, wherein thepivot connector is a toothed pivot connector, having an inner and outercircumference, and having one or more teeth which form one or morepockets within the area of the latch arm, the one or more teethpositioned on the outer circumference of the toothed pivot connector.13. The component and latch assembly according to claim 12, wherein thestabilizing member is a toothed stabilizing member having one or moreteeth which form one or more pockets within the area of the latch arm.14. The component and latch assembly according to claim 13, wherein thetoothed stabilizing member and toothed pivot connector define an openingwhich traces the toothed stabilizing member and toothed pivot connectorand is located within the area of the latch arm.
 15. The component andlatch assembly according to claim 14, further comprising dampingmaterial, at least partially filling the opening.
 16. The component andlatch assembly according to claim 15, wherein the damping material has adurometer generally in the range of 15 to
 70. 17. The component andlatch assembly according to claim 15, wherein the damping material isone or more selected from the group consisting of room temperaturevulcanizing epoxy, room temperature vulcanizing silicone, roomtemperature vulcanizing rubber, and grease.
 18. The component and latchassembly according to claim 11, further comprising a mounting bracket,connected to the second face, and positioned so that the latch arm issandwiched between the mounting bracket and the second face.
 19. Thecomponent and latch assembly according to claim 18, further comprising ahandle pawl pin connected to the mounting bracket; and a handle pawl,connected to the handle; wherein the handle is rotatable between asecured and unsecured position, the handle pawl and the handle pawl pinsecuring the latch arm from rotation in the secured position.
 20. Acomponent and latch assembly comprising: a component, inserted into acomponent bay having a latch pawl pin; the component having a first faceand a second face, the first face and the second face being adjacent,perpendicular, and having a shared edge; one or more connectors,positioned on the first face; a mounting bracket, connected to thesecond face; a handle pawl pin connected to the mounting bracket; and alatch arm, having a first length edge, a second length edge, a firstwidth edge, and a second width edge, connected to the mounting bracketand positioned so that the latch arm is sandwiched between the mountingbracket and the second face; the latch arm being rotatable between alatched position and an unlatched position, the length edges parallel tothe shared edge in the latched position and non-parallel to the sharededge in the unlatched position; the latch arm including a latch pawl, atoothed pivot connector, and a toothed stabilizing member, and beingpositioned in a plane; the latch arm, stabilizing member, pivotconnector, and latch pawl being constructed from a single piece ofspring steel; the latch pawl being connected to the first width edge ofthe latch arm and providing spring force resisting deflectionnon-parallel to the plane; the toothed pivot connector being formedwithin an area of the latch arm, having an inner and outer circumferenceand having one or more teeth forming one or more pockets within the areaof the latch arm, the one or more teeth positioned on the outercircumference of the toothed pivot connector; the toothed stabilizingmember being formed within the area of the latch arm and extendingdistally relative to the second width edge to connect to the toothedpivot connector; the toothed stabilizing member having one or more teethforming one or more pockets within the area of the latch arm andproviding spring force resisting deflection parallel to the plane; ahandle, connected to the latch arm, and connected to the second widthedge; a handle pawl, connected to the handle; the handle being rotatablebetween a secured position and an unsecured position, the handle pawland the handle pawl pin securing the latch arm from rotation in thesecured position; the toothed stabilizing member and toothed pivotconnector defining an opening which traces the stabilizing member andpivot connector, and is located within the area of the latch arm;damping material, at least partially filling the opening, and having adurometer generally in the range of 15 to 70; and an embossmentpositioned on the component to deflect the latch pawl during latching ofthe latch arm such that the latch arm sits raised upon the embossmentand engages the latch pawl pin in the latched position.